Securing a sustainable future for communities
What is the Digital Blacksmith?
The Digital Blacksmith is a focus for community digital transformation. It works to build digital capability in cooperation with local partners.
Rural communities have much to gain from adopting digital.
Effective use of data and communications will enable rural communities to enjoy benefits that were previously restricted to large cities.
From Scotland in miniature
Having started on the Isle of Arran, in Scotland, the Digital Blacksmith model can bring benefits to communities anywhere
Why a digital blacksmith?
Arran needs to build digital capability, to:
Secure the future of public services and existing industries
Foster the creation of new industry around DATA, software, hardware and content development
Include all residents and businesses in the benefits of digital technology
Protecting Arran's beautiful natural heritage through the application of new technology and supporting skills.
How will we help secure a sustainable future for Arran?
Partnering
Assist local bodies to make the most of digital
Signposting
Raise awareness of digital resources
Making things happen
Directly meet local needs by applying digital technology
making things happen
Getting smarter with data
Vital skills
Foster connectivity literacy
Community building
Everyone included
Community building
Enabling more local governance
making things happen
Innovating more rapidly
Latest Projects
Digital business reviews
We are delighted to work with local businesses to review their use of digital technology and help...
Smart farming
We organised a workshop on digital agriculture developments for farmers on Arran. Held in Kilmory,...
Careers workshops
It is important for young people to be aware of the breadth of careers that tecgchnology can open...
Services
Digital strategy
Helping companies understand how digital technology can help transform their operations, marketing and delivery.
Productivity
Digital tools can help transform the productivity of organisations across all sectors of the economy, including public services.
Cyber security
Helping organisations identify a range of potential threats and weaknesses that could be addressed to make operations more resilient.
Innovation support
Helping established organisations and entrepreneurs develop a new generation of products and services. Drawing on Internet of Things technology and data analysis, for example.
Connectivity
We can help organisations (and individuals) make the most of their broadband connectivity to improve access to services and enhance the economic and social value they can deliver.
Education
We can assist educators in preparing content and demonstrators that help advance understanding and awareness of digital technology’s potential to transform lives, businesses, and communities.
What is a digital blacksmith?
A Digital Blacksmith is a focus for skills development
The idea is to make a centre for skills advancement and application support which which can catalyse the digital development of Arran in such a way as to ensure that the power of digital technology can be fully exploited in tackling the range of challenges that Arran faces in the coming years.
Opportunity
Enabling fledgling digital businesses to build new career and business opportunities on Arran.
Building the digital foundations!
We see the establishment of a local digital hub a practical first step on the journey towards full digital capability – which is a moving goal in itself.
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